Heads up for the Geminid meteors.
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||
|| 13th December 2015
||
|| News of Lincolnshire Wildlife
|| LNU Website:
|| http://www.lnu.org/
||
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In this issue.....
1. Readers hints, tips and requests
2. Wildlife Highlights
3. Wildlife reports from around the county
4. News from the Lincolnshire Coast
5. News from Far Ings NNR
6. News from Bardney Limewoods NNR
7. Sending in Reports - contributors please read!
8. Contact information
9. Notes about these wildlife reports
10. Bulletin publicity policy
11. Events Diary
12. ...and finally.....
============================================
The Lincolnshire Naturalists' Union Bulletin is being read by 1100
people and we are keen to encourage even more readers to subscribe.
If you know someone who would like to receive the Bulletin
please send them this link so they can sign up for it:
http://www.lnu.org/wildnews.php
Text versions of past Wildnews Bulletins are available on:
http://rogerparsons.info/bulletinportal.html
Note: Each address contains the relevant date.
Views expressed by contributors are not necessarily those of the
Lincolnshire Naturalists' Union or any associated organisations.
Reports here are open and are available to county recorders of
the Lincolnshire Naturalists' Union and Lincolnshire Bird Club.
Please contact the Editor to contribute articles or reports.
E-mail: rparsons@enterprise.net
[A backup e-mail address you can use if ever you experience
problems with my "Enterprise" address is: aintree2@yahoo.co.uk ]
============================================
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
1. Readers hints, tips and requests
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
*** From the Editor.... ***
Heads Up for the Geminid Meteor Shower – peak on 13/14th December.
As there will be no Moonlight on this date, it could be a spectacular display
if only the cloud allows us to look! Sadly, the Moon is likely to spoil the
Ursid meteor shower on 23rd Dec. See:
http://www.bbc.co.uk/guides/zsr34j6
I was fascinated to read the following archaeology article:
University of Lincoln uncovers hundreds of 11,000-year-old tools
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-lincolnshire-35008564
PlantTracker is worth a look and a try.
'Invasive non-native plant species are a threat to native wildlife in the UK.
Help us track them down.'
http://planttracker.naturelocator.org/
The experience of Storm Desmond reminds us to register for the
Environment Agency Flood Information/Floodline service. See:
http://www.environment-agency.gov.uk/default.aspx
The same goes for Met Office Severe Weather Alerts: See:
http://www.metoffice.gov.uk/about-us/guide-to-emails
Seal News
Follow the Lincolnshire Wildlife Trust posts of seal news on:
http://www.lincstrust.org.uk/donna-nook/weekly-update
If possible, try to avoid weekend visits and the larger crowds.
Try this week's BBC Radio 4's Open Country on BBC i-player:
Lincolnshire Coast Revival with Helen Mark:
http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b06r8583
Thanks for the many interesting contributions this week. It is
always good to hear from readers and it keeps the Bulletin an
interesting read. Please keep the reports and information coming
and please keep on telling people about the Bulletin.
Remind them that it's free and suggest they give it a try.
Here is the URL of the easy-to-use sign-up page to send on:
http://www.lnu.org/wildnews.php
Roger
p.s. Don't forget: 12. ...and finally...
Some good stuff again this week.
*** LNU Events - list in section 11 below - guests welcome ***
To check on the details, especially if weather suggests a possible
cancellation, visit:
http://lnu.org/events.php
Unless otherwise stated, Indoor Meetings are held on
Saturdays at the Whisby Education Centre, Whisby Nature
Park, Moor Lane, Thorpe on the Hill, Lincoln
and start at 2pm.
Saturday, January 16, 2016
Bird monitoring and windfarms
John Clarkson, Lincolnshire Bird Club
North Lincolnshire County Recorder
*** 47 Snow Buntings at Cleethorpes, 3 Waxwings at Gibraltar Point ***
A sign winter is about to start properly at last? Your reports, please. See:
https://www.norfolkwildlifetrust.org.uk/wildlife-in-norfolk/species-explorer/birds/snow-bunting
http://www.lincstrust.org.uk/species/snow-bunting
http://www.nottinghamshirewildlife.org/animal-facts/waxwing
http://www.lincstrust.org.uk/species/waxwing
*** Stay Bat-Aware! ***
Annette Faulkner writes:
Do please keep your eyes open for any bats still out. We have recently released
a pipistrelle at Deeping St James that was found in a building and would even
have been underweight even in the summer. We have another underweight one
from Morton (Bourne) in temporary care; we had a call from Harlaxton of one
flying in a building the weekend before last. A somewhat underweight pipistrelle
caught by a cat at Holton le Moor had to be euthanased. There is also a pipistrelle
from Waltham awaiting release and more recently we've had another underweight
pipistrelle from Graizelound. Pleasant though it is to have mild weather, hibernating
animals need more of the cold nights we had recently to send them into deep torpor,
and this will apply to hedgehogs too. Otherwise they're out foraging when there's
not a lot to eat and are dipping into the fat reserves that should be keeping them
going all winter.
If you find a grounded bat PLEASE don't leave it where it's found, thinking "nature
will take its course". It will - but it'll take several days to do it, and meanwhile the
bat can fall prey to predation, injuries become infected, they can become fly-struck,
or other horrors overtake them. For all their tiny size they're tough little beasts and
take a long time to die. Scoop them up in a cloth or wear gloves, put them in an
escape-proof box and phone the Lincs Bat Group's Helpline number. 01775 766286
*** Lincolnshire Environmental Awards 2016 ***
The closing date for entries is 31st March 2016. If you know of any
'projects' which deserve recognition, please encourage them to submit
an entry. It is an easy application.
For more information, see:
http://www.lincsenvironmentalawards.org.uk/
*** Barton LWT ***
Adrian White writes:
Barton Area Group of the LWT is now on Facebook;
https://www.facebook.com/LWT.Barton.Group
*** Grantham LWT ***
M Ellis writes:
Lincolnshire Wildlife Trust
Grantham Group
Friday 11th December 7.30pm
America's Serengeti - the wildlife of Yellowstone & Grand Teton
by David Cromack
Barkston & Syston Village Hall
Main Road, Barkston, NG32 2NH
*** Grimsby & Cleethorpes LWT ***
Carolyn Lovely writes:
On Monday 14th December 2015 the Lincolnshire Wildlife Trust hold
their next indoor meeting where Ray Hume will give a presentation
"Song Birds and Bird Song".
This will be followed by live entertainment with Ray's music group
"Turtle Dove" and festive refreshments donated by members.
This will take place in Grimsby Town Hall and starts at 7.30pm.
Admission £2, all are welcome.
There will be a Trust goods stall and raffle. Tea & coffee available.
For further details ring Jennie Redpath - 01472 502858
*** Lincoln LWT ***
Richard Davidson
Lincoln Area Group Talk
December 17th:
Birds of the 12 days of Christmas by Chris Du Feu
A light hearted look at the festive period by one of our most
popular speakers.
Contributions of seasonal food welcome to add to the Christmas
irit.
Talk at Whisby Nature Park in the Lafarge Education Building
starting at 7.30 pm.
Admission £2.50 which includes refreshments.
*** Lincolnshire Wildlife Trust Events 2015 ***
http://www.lincstrust.org.uk/whats-on
*** Butterfly Conservation Lincolnshire Branch ***
http://butterfly-conservation.org/300/lincolnshire-branch.html
*** Lincoln RSPB ***
http://www.lincolnrspb.org.uk/
*** South Lincs RSPB ***
http://www.rspb.org.uk/groups/southlincolnshire
*** Find the Grid Reference - always useful ***
Chris Manning recommended the following websites to help find grid
references.
Grab a Grid Reference
http://www.bnhs.co.uk/focuson/grabagridref/html/index.htm
UK Grid Reference Finder:
http://www.gridreferencefinder.com/
[Don't forget to scroll down to "And finally ....."]
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
2. Wildlife Highlights
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
*** Bird News from Rare Bird Alert ***
Rare Bird Alert has kindly given permission to reproduce
reports. A big thank you from us all.
Interested readers should have a look at the RBA website:
http://www.rarebirdalert.co.uk/
1/12
Hen Harrier male, Frampton Marsh
Hen Harrier ringtail, Fiskerton fen
3 Greenland White-fronted Geese with Greylag Geese East of Marston,
in field north of Marston sewage works
Spotted Redshank, Gibraltar Point
Scaup, Teal Lake, Whisby Nature Park
2/12
7 Snow Buntings, Cleethorpes
3 Greenland White-fronted Geese with Greylag Geese East of Marston,
in field north of Marston sewage works
Slavonian Greve, Gibraltar Point
Scaup on reservoir, Frampton Marsh
3/12
Lapland Bunting flew over saltmarsh path, 2 Hen Harrier ringtails
over Wainfleet Marsh from Wash Viewpoint, Gibraltar Point
Scaup drk on reservoir, Pale-bellied Brent Goose with Dark-bellied
Brent Geese, Frampton Marsh
3 Greenland White-fronted Geese with Greylag Geese East of Marston,
in field north of Marston sewage works
4/12
26 Snow Buntings, 2 Twite, Pale-bellied Brent Goose, Cleethorpes LNR
Great White Egret, fem Common Scoter, Covenham Reservoir
3 Hen Harriers, Pale-bellied Brent Goose flying over with 4 Dark-
bellied Brent Geese, Spotted Redshank on Tennyson's Sands,
Gibraltar Point
22 Twite, male Hen Harrier, Donna Nook
3 Greenland White-fronted Geese with Greylag Geese East of Marston,
in field north of Marston sewage works
Hen Harrier male, Frampton Marsh
5/12
3 Greenland White-fronted Geese with Greylag Geese East of Marston,
in field north of Marston sewage works
Spotted Redshank, Slavonian Grebe offshore, Gibraltar Point
6/12
3 Waxwings flew SW over plantation. Gibraltar Point
3 Greenland White-fronted Geese with Greylag Geese East of Marston,
in field north of Marston sewage works
7/12
47 Snow Buntings, Cleethorpes
Ringtail Hen Harrier, Tetney Marshes
Common Scoter, Snow Bunting over, Covenham Reservoir
Slavonian Grebe offshore, Gibraltar Point
2 Hen Harriers 1 m over saltmarsh, 2 Spotted Redshanks, Common
Sandpiper, 4 Whooper Swans, Frampton Marsh
3 Greenland White-fronted Geese with Greylag Geese East of Marston,
in field north of Marston sewage works
8/12
3 Greenland White-fronted Geese with Greylag Geese East of Marston,
in field north of Marston sewage works
Bittern at Far Ings, Barton-upon-Humber
9/12
Spotted Redshank on Tennyson's Sands, Gibraltar Point
2 Scaup, ringtail Hen Harrier, Common sandpiper, Frampton Marsh
10/12
No sign of the 3 Greenland White-fronted Geese with Greylag Geese
East of Marston
Spotted Redshank on Tennyson's Sands, Water Pipit, Gibraltar Point
Pale Bellied Brent Goose with 257 Dark-bellied Brent Geese,
Frampton Marsh
11/12
Note: I am adapting RBA pager information for the Bulletin by
eliminating or summarising/consolidating repeated messages.
When there is a lot of information I will stick to highlights.
Please visit the RBA website for updates or fuller details.
Bird Alert website:
http://www.rarebirdalert.co.uk/
Here you can register free to use the site and get free
trials of their subscription services.
Strongly recommended.
[Please mention the Bulletin if you decide to subscribe.]
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
3. Wildlife news from around the county
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
*** The Roger Goy Column ***
Remembering Roger Goy's wildlife information work.
Fin Whale
Cliff Morrison writes:
When I was typing the report last week on 26th, as friend phoned to say
that he could see a beached whale off the Cleethorpes leisure centre and
was going to check it out. He identified it as a 5m juvenile Fin Whale,
freshly dead. The photos he sent me showed it to be very emaciated. When
I was at the Humber Nature Forum yesterday, I mentioned it and apparently
it had floated out on the next tide, reappearing on the beach at Spurn on
30th, before floating off again. Very unusual to have a Fin Whale in the
southern North Sea.
Roadkill
Wendy Handford 30.11.15
B1225, Caistor High Street, near Tealby crossroads TF 172 923
Brown hare
Roadkill
Roger Parsons 7.11.2015 at 09.30hrs
Big adult badger by RAF Coningsby, Dogdyke Road TF214562
Roger Parsons 7.11.2015
Adult Hedgehog on Thornton Road, B1191 TF249684
Gorse locations
Wendy Handford
Near Grimsby Fishing Heritage Centre, TA 269 096.
Wendy Handford 3.12.15
Carpark flowerbed. One heavily pruned plant now with many flowers
M180 eastbound near junction 4 to Brigg SE 954 063
Wendy Handford 9.12.15
Steep, sandy verge under Scots pine and Silver birch. Six plants, 3
with several flowers
A46 Holton le Moor TF 096 986,
Wendy Handford 9.12.15
Roadside verge shaded by oaks. 20 plants, 6 with a few flowers
A46 Claxby bypass TF 090 964
Wendy Handford 9.12.15
Sandy roadside verge with mixed shrubs. 60 plants, about 40 with a few
flowers, 15 with abundant flowers
A46 junction with A1103 TF 099 919
Wendy Handford 9.12.15
Roadside verge shaded by conifers. Ten plants, 5 with many flowers
*** County Wildlife Reports From Readers ***
Please keep your reports coming. We rely on you to send
in your observations and we welcome information from
ALL readers, be they beginners or experts. Thanks.
DON'T FORGET
Please include the year in your reports in case
they are copied and thus lose their context.
CAISTOR
Week beginning 26.11.15
Wendy Handford
Brigg Road wildlife garden TA 111 026
Fox roaming up and down hedgebank 9am 28.11.15
Grey squirrels 2 chasing about under trees 2.12.15
Blackbirds 6 repeatedly feeding on new molehills all week
Grey heron at side of stream 2.12.15
Jay in orchard 30.11.15
Pheasants 2m displaying for 30 mins on lawn 2.12.15
7-spot ladybirds 10+ in base of fern 26.11.15
Winter moth on outside of window, Temp 8C. 29.11.15
CAISTOR
Week beginning 3.12.15
Wendy Handford
Brigg Road wildlife garden TA 111 026
Feral cat prowling along hedgebank every evening. Trailcam
Rabbits 2 eating fallen apples as well as grass every evening. Trailcam
Barnowl calling 4pm 7.12.15
Buzzard circling 2pm 7.12.15
Pheasant m sheltering under patio table during storm 5.12.15
Vine weevils 4 in roots of Hepatica in garden 7.12.15
Bluebell, Leucojum and Snowdrop shoots appearing this week
Fungi this week
Turkeytail 10s on fallen Ash
DEEPINGS
Venue: Deeping Lakes LWT Reserve
Date: 23rd November 12015
Time: 1415 - 1615
Observer: Ian Gordon
Weather: Sunny periods, very cold.
Birds:
Blackbird
Black-headed Gull
Blue Tit
Bullfinch
Buzzard
Carrion Crow
Chaffinch
Cormorant
Gadwall
Goldeneye
Coot
Green Woodpecker
Fieldfare
Grey Heron
Great Crested Grebe
Herring Gull
Jackdaw
Kestrel
Little Grebe
Little Egret
Magpie
Mallard
Mistle Thrush
Moorhen
Mute Swan
Pheasant
Pochard
Reed Bunting
Robin
Rook
Sparrowhawk
Starling
Tufted Duck
Wigeon
Woodpigeon
Wren
Mammals:
Grey Squirrel(5)
HUTTOFT
Jane Pennington
TF512763 (my garden unless otherwise stated)
Date 20/11/2015
Great spotted woodpecker 1
Date 21/11/2015
Blackbird 1
Fieldmouse 1
Pheasants 3 (all male, wandering around together)
Date 22/11/2015
Blackbirds 3
Date 23/11/2015
Blackbirds 6
Chaffinch 1
Great tits 2
Long tailed tits 2
Mistle thrush 1 (guarding rowan berries from blackbirds)
Date 25/11/2015
Blackbirds 8
Crows 5 (in oak)
Great tits 2
Magpie 1
Mistle thrush 1 (guarding rowan berries from blackbirds)
Wood pigeons 6
Wren 1
Date 26/11/2015
Blackbirds 6
Great spotted woodpecker 1 (in oak - managed a blurred picture of
it on a branch with something in its mouth from the trunk)
Mistle thrush 1
HUTTOFT
Jane PenningtonTF512763 (my garden unless otherwise stated)
I have new pond, not colonised with flora as yet but the garden birds having
been making great use of it this week with many blackbirds, the mistle thrush,
woodpigeons and even 2 magpies having at least one bath! While these birds
were in the pond (not all at once though), the little wren had a bath in the
birdbath - the first time I've ever it do this - as did the robin.
Date 1/12/2015
Blackbirds 10, Dunnock 1, Magpies 2, Mistle thrush 1, Rabbit 1
Date 2/12/2015S
parrowhawk 1 (TF516 767), Wren 1
Date 3/12/2015
Dunnock 1,Magpies 2, Rabbit 1
Date 4/12/2015
Fox 1 (TF521767), Great tit 1,Magpies 2, Sparrowhawk 1 (in garden,
)Sparrowhawk 1 (with prey on side of ditch (TF517766), Wren 1
Date 5/12/2015
Collared doves 2. Pheasants 2
Date 7/12/2015
Blue tits 2,Chaffinch 1 (female), Great tits 2, Magpies 2, Mistle thrush 1,
Rabbit 1, Robin 1 (in bird bath), Woodpigeons 4, Wren 1 (in bird bath)
Date 9/12/2015
Blue tits 2, Great tits 2, Mistle thrush 1
MARTON
SK843821
Brian Hedley
27 November 2015
White-tailed bumblebee: 1 on winter-flowering honeysuckle.
Common plume moth: 2 disturbed whilst weeding borders.
Male sparrowhawk eating house sparrow on front lawn but then
almost got caught by neighbour's cat.
MIDDLE RASEN (Brambles Estate) TF105897
Richard Fox
7th December 2015
Honeybee x5 collecting pollen from Gorse bush
NETTLEHAM
David Smith
13.00
02/12/2015
Red Admiral butterfly x1 flying in greenhouse
(with numerous glass panels missing!)
NEW WALTHAM TA 285046
Peter Crick
06.12.2015
Large and smaller housefly(?) on Ivy 13.30hrs (13C)
Hedgehog coming for feed again after dark
07.12.2015
Wood Mouse scavenging under bird feeders 09.00hrs
08.12.2015
Geraniums still in flower and showing more flower buds
Still a few open flowers on Honeysuckle
Small Wasp active around Ivy 10.00hrs (9C, overcast/rain showers)
NOCTON
Jerry Gunner
7/12/2015
Fluttering around the front garden in Nocton is a tortoiseshell butterfly.
Very few winter migrants in the garden, no siskins for instance. A few
more blackbirds than usual and some redwings but no fieldfares noted.
RAITHBY-CUM-MALTBY, rural garden near LOUTH
TF309847 (unless otherwise stated)
Silvia Fowler
30.11.2015
Harlequin Ladybird on kitchen surface
01.12.2015
November Rainfall was 39mm, producing 422mm year-to-date; the
equivalent for 2013 (a dry year) was 444mm, so the dry trend is continuing.
4 Mallards (2f, 2m) sifting through a muddy patch in pasture
12-15 Long-tailed Tits chasing along hedgerow (TF302845)
02.12.2015
5 Mallards (2f, 3m) feeding in the same spot as yesterday
2 pheasants (m)
02.12.2015
Glimpse of a dark butterfly (probably Red Admiral) on the wing in blustery
gales
05.12.2015
Sparrowhawk (f)
06.12.2015
Wren
07.12.2015
Songthrush drinking from roof gutter
SOUTH FERRIBY. (public footpath near Sluice) SE 977211
Peter Crick
09.12.2015
Rose bush showing lots of Yellow flowers and new buds
THURNHOLMES (within 300m of SK797984 unless stated)
Steve Hiner & Paul Snow
30/11/15
Barn Owl x 1 calling 06:00hrs
Common Buzzard x 1
Fieldfare x 56
Kestrel x 1
Brown Rat x 3
Field / Bank Vole x 1
02/12/15
Barn Owl x 1 roosting in Hawthorns SK793981
Grey Heron x 1 SK784978
Greylag Goose x 35
Kestrel x 1
Little Egret x 2 SK784978
Little Owl x 1 calling 23:15hrs
03/12/15
Fieldfare x 125
Kestrel x 1
Pipistrelle spp. x 1 roosting / hibernating? between stacked
timbers inside stables
WAINFLEET CONSERVATION PONDS
02/12/2015
Roy and Kath Pearson
A brief visit produced one of the best BirdTrack counts for some time
with 19 species recorded.
The full list was:-
Black-headed Gull 1, Blackbird 8, Chaffinch 10, Feral Pigeon 16,
Fieldfare 18, Golden Plover 500, Great Tit 2, Greenfinch 1, Kestrel 1,
Lapwing 300, Magpie 1, Mute Swan 7, Redwing 1, Reed Bunting 5,
Robin 1, Rook 60, Sparrowhawk 1, Woodpigeon 30 and Wren 7.
WILDMORE FEN
TF216534 unless otherwise stated.
R & A Parsons
27/11/2015
Bombus lucorum queen in flight 2pm.
Tawny owl calling in orchard 5.30pm.
28/11/2015
Noted fieldfare flocks at TF 222535 and TF 237547
Little Egret at TF 233542
male Marsh Harrier at TF 230530
2/12/2015
Bombus lucorum queen in flight 3pm.
5/12/2015
Garden Primroses and Clematis in flower!
7/12/2015
9 Fieldfares now feeding on windfalls in orchard.
9/12/2015
2 Buzzards and a male Marsh Harrier active in area at 10am.
WRANGLE COMMON
02/12/2015
Roy and Kath Pearson
A BirdTrack count today produced only 21 species.
Water levels are very low for this time of year despite recent heavy rain
and no waders were recorded.
Several ducks were present however, with 3 Teal and 2 Mallard on a small
pond with a Coot and 5 Moorhens. Blackbirds numbered 39, along with 2
Fieldfares and 2 Redwings. A Meadow Pipit was the only other bird of interest.
The Roe Deer have now increased to 6.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
4. Lincolnshire Coast NNRs and S Lincs Highlights including RSPB Wash Reserves
RSPB Reserves:
http://www.rspb.org.uk/reserves/collections/thewash_northnorfolk.aspx
http://www.rspb.org.uk www.rspb.org.uk/reserves/guide/f/freistonshore
http://www.rspb.org.uk/reserves/guide/f/framptonmarsh
LWT Reserves:
http://www.lincstrust.org.uk/wildlife/reserves
Reports always welcome.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
GIBRALTAR POINT NNR.
See: Gibraltar Point Bird Observatory blog.
http://gibraltarpointbirdobservatory.blogspot.co.uk/
Reports always welcome.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
SALTFLEETBY THEDDLETHORPE DUNES NNR.
http://publications.naturalengland.org.uk/publication/38015?category=59026
and
DONNA NOOK
http://www.lincstrust.org.uk/nature-reserves/donna-nook/viewing-seals-donna-nook
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
SALTFLEETBY THEDDLETHORPE NNR.
WILDLIFE NEWS Week ending 3rd-9th December 2015
Contributors: Nigel Lound, Janet and Peter Roworth, John Walker, Cliff Morrison
Yet another week of mainly mild conditions with several days of high winds and
occasional quiet periods. In the severe gale of Saturday 5th December, a wind gust
of 65.4mph was recorded, whilst on the much calmer 6th, an unseasonable daytime
high temperature of 14.7C was reached.
Whilst a few flying insects are still to be seen in sheltered areas on milder days, it was
most unusual to see a White-tailed Bumble Bee searching for nectar sources on the 6th.
In the same Brickyard Lane area as the bee, a Chiffchaff was seen on the 5th and remained,
along with a couple of Goldcrests, at least until the 8th. A single Goldcrest was also in the
Sea View area. Whilst Song Thrushes are only occasionally noted feeding in the buckthorn
bushes, they have made their presence known this week, with up to 4 individuals in song.
Early song is occasionally noted here, but not normally until mild mid January days. Mistle
Thrushes are also to be heard, but this is far less unusual for a species that can nest very early
in the year.
Other species noted across the dune and grassland areas have included a flock of 17 Siskins
flying south on 4th, 2-3 Bullfinches, small parties of Blackbirds and Redwings, along with
a single Fieldfare, Kingfisher at Rimac, Water Rail, Woodcock, Barn Owl, Short-eared Owl,
Kestrel, Sparrow Hawk and Buzzard.
A male Hen Harrier was hunting over the marsh on 3rd and Peter also comments on the
hunting behaviour of a Sparrow Hawk; "The power and determination of a Sparrow Hawk
always amazes me. Late afternoon a male bird flew low out of the buckthorn, directly over
the salt marsh for at least a couple of hundred yards to launch itself into attack mode amongst
a flock of feeding Goldfinches. Finches scattered everywhere and this Sparrowhawk was hell
bent for a kill with tight turns and short vertical lifts and then swoops for what seemed only a
few seconds before flying back just as quickly with its prey to the bushes.â€?
On the 8th, on the saltmarsh marsh lagoon at Rimac, there were 3 immature Whooper Swans,
70 Wigeon and 12 Shoveler, whilst 230 Pink-footed Geese came off the roost early morning.
Further south, the Snow Bunting flock beyond Crook Bank numbered exactly 30 and the (now
regular?) female/immature Velvet Scoter was again on the sea as were 200 Common Scoter.
4 Goldeneye flew south as did a drake Pintail (with 12 Wigeon). A Guillemot flew south and
just 2 Red-throated Diver went north. Waders on the beach out from Crook Bank were 34
Sanderling, 116 Dunlin, 2 Oystercatcher, 16 Bar-tailed Godwit and 22 Grey Plover. There
were 120 Twite out from BYL and a separate flock of 38 Linnet.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
5. FAR INGS NNR
See: Far Ings NNR on Facebook:
https://www.facebook.com/pages/Friends-Of-Far-Ings-National-Nature-Reserve/186876774685595
Reports always welcome.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
6. Bardney Limewoods NNR
http://microsites.lincolnshire.gov.uk/limewoods/publications/limewoods-walks/
Reports always welcome.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
The NNR includes the following sites:
Chambers Farm Wood (please detail specific area when reporting e.g.
Ivy Wood, Little Scrubbs Meadow etc.); College Wood, Cocklode & Great
West Woods, Hardy Gang Wood, Newball Wood, Scotgrove Wood, Southrey
Wood, Wickenby Wood.
Other woods included in the NNR but without public access: Stainfield
Wood; Stainton & Fulnetby Woods (access by public bridle way only)
Adrian Royle's superb Flickr photo-site:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/adiroyle/collections/72157624803742908/
Colin Green has produced the following video about
visiting Southrey Wood in Oct 2012. Well worth a look.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T1SpBvd9Ib0
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
7. Sending in reports to Roger Parsons
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
The purpose of the Bulletin is to encourage biological recording
in Lincolnshire using modern Information and Communication
Technology. We hope to increase the number of people reporting
observations to LNU Recorders and improve the quality of reports,
as well as the quantity and the geographical coverage.
In return for this FREE service, we ask you to provide reports,
questions, news or relevant articles from time to time. Descriptive
pieces are welcome - you don't have to stick to lists!
Mailing times vary, depending on what I am doing. The Bulletin
usually 'goes to bed' on Fridays. Please e-mail in contributions
as early as possible to ensure they are included, to:
rparsons@enterprise.net
[A backup e-mail address you can use if ever you experience
problems with my "Enterprise" address is: aintree2@yahoo.co.uk ]
When sending in reports please follow this layout to save
re-editing:
Place Name: IN CAPITALS with Grid Reference if you have it.
Your Name: Real names please, not aliases.
Put it in each time, for each location
Date:
Species list [Alphabetical?] & numbers [and observations?]
e.g. Blackbird - 24
[And please, no home-grown abbreviations. Species Names in full.]
*** Find the Grid Reference ***
Chris Manning recommended the following websites to help find grid
references.
Grab a Grid Reference
http://www.bnhs.co.uk/focuson/grabagridref/html/index.htm
UK Grid Reference Finder:
http://www.gridreferencefinder.com/
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
8. Contact Information & Useful Websites
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Please let me know ASAP if any of these weblinks fail!
*** Lincolnshire Naturalists' Union Website ***
A full list of LNU Country Recorders is given here.
http://www.lnu.org/
LNU e-mail: info@lnu.org
If you are not yet a member, the LNU needs good naturalists like
you! Anyone interested can get membership application forms from
Wilma Gammon at the Lincs Wildlife Trust office,
e-mail wgammon@lincstrust.co.uk
LNU publications [listed on LNU website] may be ordered via:
Ian Macalpine-Leny
http://lnu.org/publications.php
ian@macalpine-leny.co.uk
*** Contacts List ***
No hotlinks in this section, just copy and paste URLs, please.
FIGHTING WILDLIFE CRIME
*** Rural Crime Officer ***
Pc 160 Nick Willey
Force Wildlife, Rural Crime Officer
Force Dog Training Establishment
Lincolnshire Showground.
Grange-De-Lings.
Lincoln
nicholas.willey@lincs.pnn.police.uk
OFFICE: 01522-731897
MOBILE :07768-501895
PAGER : 07654-330877
Website:
http://www.lincs.police.uk/Advice/Wildlife-and-Rural-Crime/
*** National Rural Crime Network ***
Call for case studies as new website to tackle rural crime is launched.
http://www.lincs.police.uk/Advice/Wildlife-and-Rural-Crime/National-Rural-Crime-Network.html
See:
http://www.nationalruralcrimenetwork.net/
STAYING SAFE
No hotlinks in this section, just copy and paste URLs, please.
*** EasyTide ***
Check tide times on Admiralty EasyTide:
http://easytide.ukho.gov.uk/EasyTide/EasyTide/index.aspx
*** Local Tide Tables ***
Here is a useful-looking website where you can order local tide tables.
Well worth bookmarking. Everyone who uses the coast ought to have local
tide tables handy. £1.50 + p&p.
https://www.tidetimes.org.uk/
*** TWO - The Weather Outlook ***
Check the weather forecast for the location or postcode:
http://www.theweatheroutlook.com/
*** Met Office E-mail Service ***
Be warned of the possibility of severe weather.
The Met Office website now offers an e-mail notification service for
severe weather and other matters which may interest readers. Worth
having a look and signing up.
See:
http://www.metoffice.gov.uk/about-us/guide-to-emails
*** Environment Agency Flood Information/Floodline ***
http://www.environment-agency.gov.uk/default.aspx
*** Lincolnshire Wildlife Trust ***
http://www.lincstrust.org.uk/
Care of Sick or Injured Animals - information on LWT website ***
http://www.lincstrust.org.uk/wildlife/sick-and-injured-animals
SPECIES IDENTIFICATION AND RECORDING
No hotlinks in this section, just copy and paste URLs, please.
Enjoy the Starlings at Kirkby on Bain - the excellent 2014
video by David Robinson.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/poppops/11685708555/
Why not join in the RSB survey of Starling murmurations:
http://www.rsb.org.uk/get-involved/biologyweek/starling-survey
Identifying the Fungi:
http://www.rogersmushrooms.com/
*** What's That Butterfly? ***
http://www.ukbutterflies.co.uk/index.php
http://butterfly-conservation.org/
What's That Caterpillar?
http://www.ukbutterflies.co.uk/species_family.php?name=all&stage=larva
*** Identifying Dragonflies ***
http://www.british-dragonflies.org.uk/content/uk-species
http://www.british-dragonflies.org.uk/content/dragonfly-and-damselfly-identification-help
*** How to Identify Bees ***
BWARS - Bees Wasps & Ants Recording Society
http://www.bwars.com/
Bumblebee Conservation Trust
http://bumblebeeconservation.org/
*** iSpot Keys for computer or mobile ***
If you are a beginner to identification of species, you might find
the following link useful.
http://www.ispot.org.uk/keys
The LNU is now represented on the popular iSpot website.
A full list of the organisations, recording schemes and
societies represented is here:
http://www.ispot.org.uk/representatives
*** Mammal Records ***
Mammal records can reported to
Chris Manning
E-mail:
Chris.LincsDeer@gmail.com
Mink/Otter reports are of interest and can be sent via the Bulletin.
*** Spiders ***
Imogen Wilde writes:
Regional Co-ordinator (RC) and Mentor for Lincolnshire for the
British Arachnological Society (BAS).
I will be organising a few field meetings to hunt for spiders
and other arachnids in due course, but if any LNU members wish
to get in touch in the meantime then please contact me on my
e-mail address:
Imogen@imogenwilde.co.uk
*** Lincs Amphibian and Reptile Group ***
The Lincolnshire ARG (Amphibian & Reptile Group)
For further details please contact: Ashley Butterfield
learningoutdoors@btinternet.com or tel 07864967057
Ashley Butterfield, LNU Reptile and Amphibian Recorder, adds:
The recordpool is a joint ARGUK and ARC Trust project that aims to
collect herpetofauna data from the uk that might not otherwise be
recorded and make it available for conservation purposes. As such
you will have access to your own records at full resolution and
other records at a lower resolution.
You can input reptile and amphibian data at:
http://www.recordpool.org.uk/
Please remember, common species are just as important as rarer species,
so please give it a go. Please contact Dr Angela Julian ARGUK with any
specific questions. angela.digges@clara.co.uk
*** Local Bat Helpline ***
Grounded bats, bat problems, advice and information.
Contact Annette and Colin Faulkner on
01775 766286 or e-mail:
annettefaulkner@btinternet.com
*** Bat Recorder ***
You may send confidential bat records direct to
Annette Faulkner on:
annettefaulkner@btinternet.com
*** LNU Bees, Wasps and Ants Recorder ***
Alan Phillips
Willing to examine specimens or check photos
(but bear in mind only a relative few of the 300+ species in
the county are identifiable using photos).
Aculeates only please, no parasitic wasps such as Ichneumons.
If in doubt please contact for advice:
aculeates@gmail.com
*** Slug ID Help ***
Chris du Feu will help with slug identification.
You can telephone him on: 01427 848400
or e-mail:
chris@chrisdufeu.force9.co.uk
*** Identification of Non-Marine Molluscs ***
John Redshaw is still available to identify specimens of non-
marine shelled molluscs, including brackish marsh species. For
larger and medium sized species (down to 1cm) a digital image
will usually suffice. For smaller species it may be possible,
in some cases, to ID specimens from digital images, but usually
actual specimens will be required. If providing specimens, they
may be enclosed in old film pots (which photographic shops are
usually glad to get rid of).
Details of location where specimen found, (with grid reference
if known), date and finder's name should be provided. If specimen
is provided this information should be noted on a label stuck to
the outside of the pot.
Please be aware that it is illegal to send live specimens through
the post.
For further details please contact John by e-mail on
ejohnredshaw@gmail.com
*** Mollusc Identification ***
David Feld has also kindly offered to assist readers to
identify molluscs, both terrestrial and aquatic.
Please e-mail him a description and he will advise you
whether and where to send a photograph or an actual
specimen. Contact:
drf@dfeld.freeserve.co.uk
*** Lincolnshire Badger Group Update ***
Ally Townsend of the Weirfield Wildlife Hospital, writes:
If you would like to give people the Lincoln number
01522 530428 a member of staff will record the sighting or RTA.
Or use the Weirfield website:
http://www.weirfield.co.uk/
where a reporting page can be used to send in badger reports.
Botanical Group in South Lincs
Sarah Lambert writes:
We'd be happy to welcome new people, whether experienced or not,
particularly if they are located towards the northern part of
the vice county!
sarah.lambert7@ntlworld.com
USEFUL WILDLIFE CONTACTS
*** Lincolnshire Wildlife Trust ***
http://www.lincstrust.org.uk/
*** Lincs Environmental Records Centre ***
Greater Lincolnshire Nature Partnership
(of which LERC is a part)
Contact: Charlie Barnes,
charlie.barnes@glnp.org.uk
or for more general queries:
info@glnp.org.uk
Website:
http://www.gnlp.org.uk
*** Life on the Verge and Wildflower Meadow Network Project ***
Aidan Neary, Wildflower Meadow Project Officer,
aneary@lincstrust.co.uk
Mobile: 07825 970930, Switchboard: 01507 526667.
To find out more and to become involved with the
survey and management of Lincolnshire's limestone
grassland on road verges see:
See:
http://www.lifeontheverge.org.uk/
*** Good sources of seeds of Bee-friendly Wild Flowers ***
Mark Schofield writes:
Always consider the provenance and sustainable sourcing of seed.
Plantlife and Flora locale have defined protocols that can guide
the conservation-minded shopper. Bee-friendly gardeners should
refer to their A-Z suppliers list which can be found here:
www.floralocale.org/Alphabetical+supplier+listing
Advice:
www.wildlifetrusts.org/Bees-needs/growmore
bumblebeeconservation.org/get-involved/managing-your-land/wildflower-seed/
*** Lincs Bird Club ***
LBC County Bird Recorders
John Clarkson - Covering the north of the county
recorder_north@lincsbirdclub.co.uk
John Badley - Covering the south of the county
recorder_south@lincsbirdclub.co.uk
Bird Club Website:
http://www.lincsbirdclub.co.uk
*** The Sir Joseph Banks Society ***
Contact 01507 528223 or by e-mail:
enquiries@joseph-banks.org.uk.
http://www.joseph-banks.org.uk
*** Other Useful Websites/contacts ***
No hotlinks in this section, just copy and paste URLs, please.
Suggestions for other useful Websites are welcome.
*** Natural England ***
http://www.naturalengland.org.uk/
*** Lincolnshire Environmental Awards ***
http://www.lincsenvironmentalawards.org.uk/
*** The Lincolnshire Coastal Grazing Marshes Project (LCGMP) ***
The Lincolnshire Coastal Grazing Marshes project produced two films of the
Lincolnshire Coastal Grazing Marshes. They are based on Light Detection and
Ranging (LIDAR) which measures topography accurately. The films reveal many
historical and geomorphological features that are not always obvious to the
eye. Note that the vertical perspective is exaggerated to enhance the features.
Narrated by Jim Broadbent. Watch them here:
Southern marshes
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wwhVamd4j6E
Northern marshes
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zZjqzcMFXi8
*** Lincolnshire Wolds Countryside Service ***
A dedicated service to protect and enhance the Lincolnshire
Wolds Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB).
01507 609740
http://www.lincswolds.org.uk
*** Lincolnshire Chalk Streams Project ***
Project Officer: Ruth Craig
http://www.lincswolds.org.uk/chalk-streams/volunteering
or contact the project officer
ruth.craig@lincolnshire.gov.uk
*** The South Lincolnshire Fenlands Partnership ***
http://www.lincsfenlands.org.uk/
Contact: slincsfens@lincstrust.co.uk
Amanda Jenkins - South Lincolnshire Fenlands Project Officer
*** RSPB local webpages ***
http://www.rspb.org.uk www.rspb.org.uk/reserves/guide/f/freistonshore
http://www.rspb.org.uk/reserves/guide/f/framptonmarsh
John Badley, Site Manager for RSPB Lincolnshire
Wash reserves e-mail:
john.badley@rspb.org.uk
S Lincs RSPB
http://www.southlincsrspb.org.uk
Lincoln RSPB
http://www.lincolnrspb.org.uk/
*** Butterfly Conservation Lincolnshire link ***
http://butterfly-conservation.org/300/lincolnshire-branch.html
*** Lincsbirders ***
Lincolnshire's Alternative Birding Group
http://www.lincsbirders.org/
Lincolnshire Limewoods Project Bardney Limewoods NNR
http://microsites.lincolnshire.gov.uk/Limewoods/
limewoods@lincolnshire.gov.uk
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
9. Notes about these wildlife reports
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
We do our best to ensure accuracy in our reporting but these
records are sent in by a variety of reporters, from complete
beginners to professionals. They therefore vary in reliability
and in some cases they are impossible to verify.
If further information is needed on locations or reporters, or
if you wish to question/confirm any of these records, contact:
rparsons@enterprise.net
Bulletins are sent to Recorders at Lincolnshire Environmental
Records Centre [GNLP] , Lincolnshire Naturalists' Union and
Lincolnshire Bird Club.
[Note: Where plants are reported, this is usually because they have
been seen and identified in flower.]
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
10. The Bulletin's publicity policy
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
We sometimes withhold precise details of rare or endangered species.
Please point out any sensitive or "tricky" reports of this kind.
Sensitive data should go directly to county recorders, please.
Please respect the interests of wildlife and site owners if you
report on national networks. An interest in wildlife is not a
licence to act irresponsibly/thoughtlessly to landowners, who may
well be partners in important conservation work.
[Remember - views expressed in the Bulletin do not necessarily
reflect the policies or opinions on the LNU or associated
organisations. In particular this applies to such agencies,
especially charities, taking a political stance.]
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
11. LNU Events Diary
For LNU meetings also see
http://www.lnu.org/events.php
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Field Meetings generally start at 12 noon for 1.00pm,
but please check the website details for each event.
Unless otherwise stated, Indoor Meetings are held on
Saturdays at the Whisby Education Centre, Whisby Nature
Park, Moor Lane, Thorpe on the Hill, Lincoln
and start at 2pm.
2016 Indoor meetings
Saturday, January 16, 2016
Bird monitoring and windfarms
John Clarkson, Lincolnshire Bird Club
North Lincolnshire County Recorder
Saturday, February 13, 2016
Recorders' Meeting & Annual Exhibition
Overview and highlights of the past years recording provided
by the county recorders. Arrive at 12 noon for a chance to
catch up with recorders and view exhibits including a
demonstration of online recording software ‘Living Record’
and a discussion on online recording starting at 12.30; the
overview starts at 2pm as in previous years.
Saturday, March 05, 2016
AGM & Presidential Address
AGM, Followed by the Presidential Address by Mark Schofield
“Better Connected - Can our road networks serve as super-
highways for wildlife?”
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
12 ....and finally.....
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
*** MailFails This Week ***
If your Bulletin did not arrive, text copies of past
Bulletins can be found on:
http://rogerparsons.info/bulletinportal.html
Latest Mailfails.
sue cfga - Soft Bounce - delivery failed - Access denied.
gandd - Soft Bounce - delivery failed - mailbox unavailable.
jandjgill - Soft Bounce - retry timeout exceeded
And finally:
The Comedy Wildlife Photography Awards
http://www.irishtimes.com/news/environment/the-comedy-wildlife-photography-awards-1.2452932
We want to build tiny backpacks for bees – here’s why:
http://theconversation.com/we-want-to-build-tiny-backpacks-for-bees-heres-why-51458
The bat hibernates inside the snow!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kvY7mKr9zpc
Global Warming story of the week:
Lincoln's Christmas melted ice rink becomes giant puddle
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-lincolnshire-35020157
Hundreds tested for TB at Lincolnshire primary school
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-lincolnshire-35024499
Migratory birds 'lack world protection'
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-34985273
Meet Attenborough's black-eyed satyr, the latest creature named after the legendary naturalist
http://www.bbc.com/earth/story/20151202-rare-amazonian-butterfly-named-after-sir-david-attenborough
Some of the most ingenious predators are animals you might never have heard of
http://www.bbc.com/earth/story/20151201-seven-animals-with-astonishing-hunting-techniques
Contributions to "And finally......" are always welcome.
~ THE END ~
-----------
(..until next week!)
Roger Parsons
http://rogerparsons.info/